At the beginning of the 16th century, the Zarauz introduced large trawls called ‘Barrederas Redes’. Although the main purpose of these nets was to catch sardines and anchovies, destined for salting, as at the same time albures were fished in abundance, they established pickling nets to be able to market this fish throughout the Peninsula. The introduction of the marinade was a revolution, since from the 1980s onwards it was used to market the sea bream that fishermen caught in winter. Until the 18th century, sea bream fishing became the main activity carried out in winter by fishermen who in summer took part in the cod and whale fisheries in Newfoundland and the Arctic. To make pickled sea bream and other species, the fish was fried in large cauldrons and then packed in vinegar in small barrels.
As a sign of the economic boom experienced, the Zarauz family came to own several houses and palaces, including Zarautz Jauregia.

8 – ARO BERRIKO GETARIA (1)

Zarautz Jauregia

From the end of the 15th century onwards, the different phases of construction of the palace are documented, which would come to occupy the whole of the current site at the beginning of the 17th century. The last relevant construction activities took place in the 16th-17th century, when the third floor, the abutment-arbiter of the church and the south wing were built in stone. After this last extension, the building stopped growing and half a century later it was no longer inhabited, leading to its degradation and being referred to as ‘fallen’ in the 18th century.